GMAT Prep Courses vs. Self-Study (Books and Websites)

Taking practice tests with GMAT software might provide a slight additional boost to your performance. Simulated testing can help you:

• become comfortable with the CAT interface
• become accustomed to switching back and forth between a computer screen and scratch paper
• find your proper pace (which will be somewhat slower than on the old paper-based GMAT)

But many GMAT prep books include test-taking software at little additional cost. The bottom line: You don't need to spend more than $40-$50 to be fully prepared for the GMAT.

What about GMAT prep courses? Well, here are their advantages:

1. The dynamics of a live classroom setting can help you learn difficult concepts (especially when it comes to math) by affording different perspectives. (But why not start your own study group? You're just as likely to gain useful insights from your peers as from a GMAT instructor.)

2. Having made a substantial financial investment, you'll probably be motivated to "get your money's worth" out of that investment. (But this is an expensive head game, isn't it? And if you can't afford the course it doesn't matter anyway.)

3. You're less likely to procrastinate with a set class schedule. (But if you're disciplined enough this is no advantage.)

4. All the materials are provided, so you don't need to decide which books and/or software to buy. (Query: Is this really a significant benefit?)

5. You can commiserate and compare notes with your classmates. In fact, GMAT prep classes typical morph into de facto pre-MBA support groups. (But why not start your own pre-MBA support group?)

1. They're expensive; you can easily spend $1000.

2. Despite their claims, private test-prep companies pass along no "secrets" to you — nothing at all that you can't find for yourself in test prep books.

3. Your instructor will have scored high on the GMAT (probably above the 90th percentile) but will not necessarily be an effective teacher.

4. During peak times of the year, you might have difficulty scheduling out-of-class time in the computer lab, at least during reasonable hours.

5. If you're not located in a major urban area or near a large college or university, the class location might be too remote for you.

1. Ask about the policy for repeating the course. Insist on an option to repeat the course at least once without charge at any time (not just within the next year).

2. Ask about merit-based or financial-based "scholarships" (fee reductions).

3. If you repeat the course, be sure to arrange for a different instructor; just as with GMAT books, each GMAT instructor has his or her own pedagogical and communication style.

4. The most significant benefit from a GMAT course is the live classroom; so be sure to attend as many classes as you can.

5. Take full advantage of the chance to meet other students and set up out-of-class study sessions. As I've already noted, you can learn just as much from your peers as from an instructor (or a book).

• Four Sensible GMAT Study Schedules
• How Not to Prepare for the GMAT — Your Top 10 List 
• Top GMAT Tips — Quantitative and Verbal Sections  
• GMAT Tips and Tricks — Exploring Each Question Type